Economy

Court Bars FG from Blocking SIM Cards As April NIN Linkage Deadline Approaches

Published

5 years ago

March 31, 2021

Eric

A Federal High Court in Lagos State has barred the Federal Government from blocking SIM cards not linked to National Identity Numbers next month.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy had, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, asked operators to block all SIM cards not linked to NIN by April 6, 2021.

The deadline had caused many Nigerians to gather at offices of the National Identity Management Commission in disregard of COVID-19 protocols.

However, a former second National Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association and human rights lawyer, Mr Monday Ubani, filed an originating motion and asked the court to stop the Nigerian Communications Commission from disconnecting all SIM Cards not linked to NINs.

The first to fourth defendants in the suit are the Federal Government, Attorney General of the Federation, the NCC and the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

Ubani sought four reliefs including an order that the two-week ultimatum was inadequate and would not only cause him hardship but would also infringe on his fundamental right to freedom of speech and right to own property as provided under sections 39(1) and 44(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

He also sought an order of the court extending the deadline.

Delivering judgment on March 23, 2021, Justice M.A Onyetenu, ordered that the deadline be extended by two months from the day of the judgement.

The court ruled that the ultimatum of April 6, 2021, be halted as the timeline is grossly inadequate and will not only work severe hardship, but will likely infringe on the fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Section 39(1)(2) and Section 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The judge further declared that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cases in Nigeria presently, the deadline given to over 200 million Nigerians to register their SIM cards with NIN, will lead to a rush, thereby resulting in clustering of Nigerian citizens in a NIN registration centre, subjecting them to the possibility of easily contracting COVID-19.

The judgment read in part, “I therefore make the following orders: An order halting the deadline ultimatum of 9/4/21 given by the 1st (Federal Government) 3rd (NCC) and 4th (Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy) respondents to block all SIM cards that are not registered with the National Identity Numbers at the expiration of deadline.

“An order directing the 1st, 3rd and 4th respondents to extend the deadline for the registration of SIM cards with NIN for at least another two months from the date of this judgment.”

In a letter addressed to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the plaintiff asked him to direct the relevant agencies to comply with the court judgment.

In the letter titled, ‘Notification to comply with judgment in FHC/L/CS/1834/2020’, Ubani asked the AGF to prevail on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, to reconsider the deadline.

The letter read in part, “I therefore urge you to use your good offices to advise the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, to respect our judiciary by complying with the above stated orders of the court.

“I further appeal to you to advise the honourable minister to review his stand on the ultimatum for the registration of SIM Cards with NIN beyond the duration declared by the honourable court to at least a year.”

Meanwhile, one of our correspondents reports that the April 6 was still in force.

It was gathered on Tuesday that all stakeholders in the telecommunications sector were still working to meet up with the deadline in order to avoid blocking the SIMs of telephone subscribers who would be found wanting on April 6.

It was also learnt that telecommunications firms had, however, completed the process of linking the SIMs and NINs of subscribers who already had their NINs.

When asked if there would be an extension of the April 6, 2021 deadline, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, said operators in the sector were working hard to meet up with the deadline.

He said, “We, all the stakeholders are working towards the April 6th deadline. We are working round the clock to meet the deadline as set.”

It later extended the December 30, 2020 deadline following widespread opposition against the earlier announcement and gave three weeks’ extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30, 2020 to January 19, 2021.

It also gave six weeks’ extension for subscribers without NIN from December 30, 2020 to February 9, 2021, but many organisations called for further deadline extension or outright suspension of the NIN registration process due to the large crowds who had yet to get their NINs.

The Punch

Economy

CBN Increases ATM Daily Cash Withdrawal Limit to N100k

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased cash withdrawal limits on all channels to N500,000 weekly for individuals and N5 million for corporates.

Announcing the policy revision in a circular on Tuesday, the regulator pegged automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals at N100,000 daily, with a weekly cumulative withdrawal of N500,000.

The development is a major shift from tighter cash policy measures introduced under the previous administration.

In December 2022, the central bank, under Godwin Emefiele, its former governor, had directed deposit money banks and other financial institutions to limit over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities per week N100,000 and N500, 000, respectively.

The CBN’s latest policy reversal, also removed the cumulative deposit limit, saying the fee on excess deposit “shall no longer apply”.

According to the regulator, the policies form part of efforts to moderate the rising cost of cash management, address security concerns, and “reduce the potential for money laundering associated with the economy’s heavy reliance on cash”.

The bank said the policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels.

However, with the “effluxion of time”, the apex bank said the need has arisen to streamline the policies’ provisions to reflect present-day realities.

“Consequently, effective January 1, 2026, the following cash-related policies, which are for mandatory compliance by all deposit-taking financial institutions in Nigeria, shall apply nationwide,” the circular reads.

“The cumulative deposit limit is hereby removed and the fee for excess deposit shall no longer apply.

“The cumulative weekly withdrawal limit across all channels shall be N500,000 for individuals and N5 million for corporates. Cumulative weekly withdrawals above these limits shall attract excess withdrawal fees as indicated in ‘5’ below.

“The special authorisation for withdrawal of N5 million and N10 million once monthly by individuals and corporates, respectively, shall no longer apply.

“Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawal limit shall be N100,000 daily (per customer), subject to a maximum of N500,000 weekly. As indicated in ‘2’ above, cash withdrawals from ATMs and point of sale devices are part of the weekly withdrawal limit indicated therein.

“Excess cash withdrawals (withdrawals above the levels indicated in ‘2’ above) shall attract fees of 3 percent and 5 percent to individual and corporate customers, respectively, on the excess amount withdrawn. The fee shall be shared 40 percent to the CBN and 60 percent to the bank or financial institution.”

According to the circular, signed by Rita Sike, CBN’s director of financial policy and regulation department, said all currency denominations “may be loaded in ATMs”.

However, the CBN retained the limit on over-the-counter encashment of third-party cheques at N100,000.

“Account holders are advised that any withdrawal under this section will form part of the cumulative weekly set in ‘2’ above”.

“Banks shall render the following monthly returns (in a format to be advised) to the respective supervisory departments (Banking Supervision Department, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department and Payments System Supervision Department) as applicable:

“a . Returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limit;

“b. Returns on Cash Deposits

“Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) shall create separate accounts to warehouse processing charges collected on cash withdrawals above the limits.

“The following accounts/entities are exempted from the application of sections 2 and 5 of this circular:

“i. Revenue generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments; and

ii. Accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks with commercial and non-interest banks.

The CBN also said the exemption of embassies, diplomatic missions and aid-donor agencies from specific cash policies “shall no longer apply”.

Economy

CBN Retains Interest Rate at 27%

Published

1 week ago

November 25, 2025

Eric

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has maintained the benchmark interest rate at 27 per cent, extending its pause on monetary tightening.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 303rd meeting in Abuja.

Cardoso said, “The Committee decided by a majority vote to maintain the monetary policy stance,” indicating that members were not yet convinced that current economic conditions warranted another reduction.

The move follows the 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025, the only rate reduction since the tightening cycle began under the current CBN leadership.

It also marks the fourth consecutive hold this year.

The MPC had raised rates six times in 2024 amid surging inflation and currency pressures.

The Punch

Economy

FG Stops Proposed 15% Import Duty on Diesel, Petrol

Published

3 weeks ago

November 13, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), on Thursday, announced discontinuation of the planned 15 per cent duty on imported petroleum products.

NMDPRA’s Director, Public Affairs Department, George Ene-Ita, conveyed the development in a statement while warning the public to shun panic buying.

President Bola Tinubu, on October 29, approved an import tariff on petrol and diesel, a policy expected to raise the landing cost of imported fuel.

The President’s approval was conveyed in a letter signed by his Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, following a proposal submitted by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.

The proposal sought the application of a 15 per cent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight value of imported petrol and diesel to align import costs with domestic market realities.

Implementation was slated to take effect on November 21, 2025.

The policy aimed to protect and promote local refineries like the Dangote Refinery and modular plants by making imported fuel more expensive.

While intended to boost local production, it is also expected to increase fuel costs, which could lead to higher inflation and transportation prices for consumers.

Experts have argued that the move could translate into higher pump prices for consumers, with some estimating an increase of up to N150 per litre or more.

In an update, however, NMDPRA said the government was no longer considering going ahead with implementing the petrol import duty.

“It should also be noted that the implementation of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit and Diesel is no longer in View,” the statement read in part.

Meanwhile, the NMDPRA also assured all that there is an adequate supply of petroleum products in the country, within the acceptable national sufficiency threshold, during this peak demand period.

“There is a robust domestic supply of petroleum products (AGO, PMS, LPG, etc) sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at storage depots and retail stations during this period.

“The Authority wishes to use this opportunity to advise against any hoarding, panic buying or non-market reflective escalation of prices of petroleum products.

“The Authority will continue to closely monitor the supply situation and take appropriate regulatory measures to prevent disruption of supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, especially during this peak demand period.

“While appreciating the continued efforts of all stakeholders in the midstream and downstream value chain in ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply and distribution, the public is hereby assured of NMDPRA’s commitment to guarantee energy security,” the statement added.